1 bdrm apartments...reality or dreaming? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: real estate, apartment complexes, rentals)

[ecm2008]

Hi all. I am moving to Santa Fe next week. I am a single female in her low 30's who recenlty returned from 2 years in the Peace Corps, looking for a place in Santa Fe or a surrounding town. I don't need anything fancy, pricey, or large. My thinking is I'd rather spend less money on rent and be able to enjoy and explore the area with my paychecks, so am looking for a basic apartment or house to rent--not necessarily IN Santa Fe. I'm wondering if this is wishfull thinking, or could possibly be a reality. Again, my home for the past two years was on an island of 300 people, with no electricty or plumbing. I'd like a step up from that, but am not afraid of less "high end" areas.

My questions to you knowing souls are...

1. What am I looking to pay for a one bedroom apartment?

2. Are the realistic options other than the apartment complexes I've found online--with gyms, pools, etc.--or are those my options?

3. Are there apartments/houses to rent in Espanola, Chimayo, and/or other towns around Santa Fe?

4. Where could I find garden apartments, that aren't necessarily part of a complex?

Thanks to all for your thoughts!!

[Vinegaroon]

1. $600-$1,000 a month
2. There are plenty of houses for rent and studios. It runs the gamot.
3. There are probably plenty of rental opportunities in Espanola, probably not so much in Chimayo. There are probably rental opportunities out in Santa Fe County.
4. I have no idea what a garden apartment is...we live in a desert so maybe you can find a desert apartment.

[GregW]

See if you can find a one room 300 to 400 sf adobe casita. That would be desert living and kind of neat.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by ecm2008

My questions to you knowing souls are...

1. What am I looking to pay for a one bedroom apartment?

2. Are the realistic options other than the apartment complexes I've found online--with gyms, pools, etc.--or are those my options?

3. Are there apartments/houses to rent in Espanola, Chimayo, and/or other towns around Santa Fe?

4. Where could I find garden apartments, that aren't necessarily part of a complex?

Thanks to all for your thoughts!!

A single woman who is not familiar with the area might not want to jump into Espanola or Chimayo sight unseen. In Espanola you would have access to all the necessities, but in Chimayo you might end up doing a fair amount of driving except when you want to buy a rug. Also a rush hour bus runs from Espanola to Santa Fe, but not from Chimayo. I often shop, eat out, visit in Espanola -- but the whole county does have a heroin problem. Look the place over and get a feel for it before you sign a lease.

You might want to consider the 'towns' in the Pojoaque Valley -- Nambe, Pojoaque, Jacona, Jaconita, El Rancho -- from east to west and in-between Santa Fe to the south and Espanolo/Chimayo to the north. Again, you should see before you rent, because the areas are mixed. The nicest places are the guest houses on estates or family compounds. There is only one apartment building that I can think of and I would stay away. The rush hour bus runs from Pojoaque into Santa Fe.

There is a relatively inexpensive Wellness Center on the Pojoaque Pueblo and open to all. It has an indoor pool, equipment, classes, etc. It is unlikely that any rental would have a pool.

Good luck and welcome back to the US.

[santafescribe]

Originally Posted by Devin Bent

It is unlikely that any rental would have a pool.

Some of Santa Fe apartment rentals you might consider - Zia Vista, The Reserve, Dos Santos, San Mateo - have pools.

[mortimer]

I'm guessing (because I have never looked for a place in Santa Fe) that in the older areas of Santa Fe, it is similar to the older areas in Albuquerque that you can rent rooms that are converted garages, rooms that have been blocked off from the rest of a house and has a door to the outside - stuff like that.

Stuff like that might only be $300 to $500 per month. Even if it is within walking distance to the square it might still be that low because it won't be all shiney and new - just the way I like it.

For what you are looking for, searching with your feet in cool parts of town that you like the look of might be best. (Up one street, down the next.)

You'll never find the cute little rooms that open up on funky little gardens on the internet.

None of the places I stayed in during my time at UNM could have been found that way (had there been an internet to do the search on).

[ecm2008]

Good Stuff, All. Thanks!!

[Pintada Kid]

I would suggest renting or renting to own in the center of N.M. and getting to know N.M. before buying. We are in a Real Estate boom and lots of Bargains in real estate and anywhere in N.M. can be a Possibility for living according to taste and age of person and what they can afford also the Climate is very important. Give me the Country life and less crime and less smog then the city and less traffic and Friendly people cool weather and Moriarty comes to mind and Santa Rosa N.M. is the City of Natural LAKES with lots to do and plenty of jobs. I travel around most of N.M. so if you have any questions feel free to ask. Also all these posts in this group cover lots of questions about N.M. pintada kid at webtv.net

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by Devin Bent

in Chimayo you might end up doing a fair amount of driving except when you want to buy a rug.

That comment cracked me up. LOL!

[Towanda]

ecm2008 ~ Welcome home and good luck finding the perfect place!

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